NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY OFFICE OF ASSEMBLYMEMBER ARAVELLA SIMOTAS For Immediate Release June 13, 2013 Contact: Jim

McFadden, 718-545-3889

Simotas Fights for Workers’ Comp Recipients Bill passes ensuring injured workers’ right to choose pharmacies
Albany, N.Y.— Assemblymember Aravella Simotas’ bill to protect workers’ rights to choose their own pharmacist has passed the New York State Assembly. The bill permits workers injured on the job to fill their prescriptions at the pharmacy of their choosing. “The ability to choose one's own pharmacy is an important right for workers that should be protected,” Simotas said. “This bill would restore the rights of the employee to choose their own healthcare while, at the same time, ensure cost savings. Simotas’ Pharmacy Choice Bill addresses a flaw in the Workers’ Compensation Reform Act of 2007. The law created a pharmaceutical fee schedule intended to save the state money, but also limited the ability of injured workers to choose their pharmacy. Simotas’ legislation would restore the ability of a claimant, in a workers' compensation case, to choose a pharmacy to provide necessary medication for his or her injuries if the pharmacy adheres to the published drug prices. “The updated law would bring New York in line with an overwhelming majority of U.S. states that allow injured workers to choose their own pharmacies,” Simotas said. “Keeping healthcare decisions in the hands of individuals and not employers or carriers is a victory for all workers.” ###